The Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre News

Four of the Mid West’s Most Promising Start Ups Win Prestigious New Frontiers Awards at Ceremony in LIT

A software solution for visitor attractions, a wine with a distinct Irish flavour, a company that grows Cannabis Sativa and a company aimed at providing professional development to teachers were the big winners at the 2019 LIT New Frontiers Start-up Awards.

A total of 14 new business leaders from the acclaimed New Frontiers programme showcased their start-up companies at a ceremony in the Millennium Theatre at LIT, Moylish Campus on Wednesday May 15, 2019.

New Frontiers is the national entrepreneur development programme funded by Enterprise Ireland and delivered by LIT at the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre. The programme focuses on developing core entrepreneur and leadership skills, and opening up networks for promising entrepreneurs who have ideas with international potential. Popular among entrepreneurs who have an innovative business idea and plan to establish a company in Ireland, the New Frontiers programme is already accepting applications for Phase 2 of its next Entrepreneur Development Programme. To prepare for this a Phase 1 Bootcamp programme will take place in July, the closing date for applications is noon on Monday, July 8, 2019.

Vice President for Research Development and Innovation LIT Dr Liam Brown described New Frontiers as a truly national programme with a significant regional outreach.

“LIT is delighted to be the lead partner in this region but we cannot do it alone – its takes a community. We had more than 70 people supporting the participants for this years New Frontiers Phase 2. Mentors, guest speakers, guest facilitators, workshop hosts, advisors, members of the professional service organisations in Limerick and beyond and more.”

Speaking about the benefits to the entrepreneur Dr Brown said, “The results from this elite programme for startups is rewarding, and is recognised as a huge driver of success by many of the prosperous indigenous companies in the Mid West. It provides help and support to accelerate business development and equips participants with the skills and contacts required to successfully start and grow their company. “Previous New Frontier participants have told us time and time again, that being accepted and then completing the New Frontier Programme is like wearing a badge of quality in the business world. It means you have been recognised as a viable business, you have the skill set to succeed, and there is a willingness for other businesses to meet and negotiate with you after the successful completion of the New Frontiers programme,” said Dr Brown.

According to Paula Carroll, Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme Manager

"New Frontiers is a critically important programme within Enterprise Ireland's offering. It is the national entrepreneurial development programme and helps start-ups on their journey, with expertise and funding. I am very impressed with the 2019 LIT cohort, which is a particularly strong group and I wish them well on further development of their companies"

The New Frontiers’ end of year ceremony further recognises the entrepreneurship and innovation through awards for Startup of the Year, Finalists of the Year and Showcase Winner.

LIT’s New Frontiers Startup Award 2019 Winners:

LIT’s 2019 New Frontier Startup of the Year - Ivan Tuohy, Great Ireland Experiences.
Ivan Tuohy set up Great Ireland Experiences as a software solution for Visitor Attractions. It has a frontend App for the visitor and is smart, intelligent, automated software for the attraction. This innovative app enables attractions to load all content to a single space, capture rich customer data and customise and personalise their sales offerings.
Startup Finalist Ciara McGuane is making professional development accessible for teachers - anytime, anywhere with her company Rahoo.

Startup Finalist Laura Jayne Foley is the founder of Canabaoil which is an Irish company growing Cannabis Sativa under licence from the Department of Health and producing legal, non-psychoactive cannabinoid rich resin for the National and International wholesale ingredient market.

Showcase Winner Brendan Reddin and Trisha Kelly, BT wines founded BT Wines with a view to creating a range of premium wines which have a distinct Irish aspect. Their introduction of Irish Peat to the process brings a unique and distinctive Irish element to grape varieties everyone knows and loves.

LIT, Limerick Local Enterprise Office, HOMS Solicitors and Bridgewater Management were the key sponsors for the annual flagship event and came together to provide prizes for each award and give the entrepreneurs a boost on their way to being a successful global company!

Congratulating the New Frontiers graduates Prof Vincent Cunnane, President of LIT emphasised the important role played by New Frontiers entrepreneurs in Irish business.

“Through innovation, dedication, hard work and newly acquired New Frontiers skillsets, these entrepreneurs will develop sustainable businesses that are driving the economy forward and impacting on society.

“It is home grown businesses like these that are the bedrock of our local economies, rural and urban, while also positively influencing our national economy,” he said.

“At LIT we want to facilitate, support and grow that sense of leadership, that sense of innovation, that entrepreneurial instinct, that passion. We want to help businesses succeed. LIT looks forward to continuing our support as these businesses grow and prosper,” added Prof Cunnane.

Congratulating the entrepreneurs on their passion and bravery Dr Brown said, “LIT has been fortunate to be part of your journey supporting the hard work you have put into your businesses through the New Frontiers Programme. You are indeed a group with global ambition and we look forward to continuing our support as you start and grow your businesses.”

8th May 2019

Invitation to attend the LIT Business Startup Awards 2019

You are invited to attend the 13th Annual LIT Business Startup Awards on Wednesday, 15th May 2019.

At the event you will have the opportunity to “Meet the Founders” who have just completed the LIT New Frontiers Programme – the Enterprise Ireland National Entrepreneur Development Programme.

A visitor attraction app designed to improve the experience for customers and earn increased revenues for management, could prove a winner for Bunratty startup Great Ireland Experiences. Going live with its first customer, Foynes Flying Boat Museum this week, the company has already won the Clare Local Enterprise Award and is through to the National Enterprise Awards final at the end of the month.
Click here article in the Irish Examiner.

3rd May 2019

Ivan in the Clarion call for a brand new company

Former Clarion Hotel boss Ivan Tuohy has gone into business alone – with high tech tourism firm Great Ireland Experiences.

2nd May 2019

Clare Local Enterprise Office announces the Best Young Entrepreneur winners

Congratulations to New Frontiers participant Ciara McGuane, founder of Rahoo
, winner of the ‘Best Start-Up Business’ category and the €15,000 investment fund. Rahoo.ie is an education-technology company which makes professional development accessible for teachers – anytime, anywhere. Rahoo’s Summer Courses for teachers are accredited by the Department of Education & Skills. Congratulations to ‘the Best New Idea’ runners up James Moriarty, ProActive Stats
, a participant on the New Frontiers Programme.

Congratulations to New Frontiers Alumni Allen Wixted, No Place Like Like winner of the ‘Best Start-Up Business’ category at the Limerick Local Enterprise Office Best Young Entrepreneur Awards and the €15,000 investment fund was Allen Wixted.

No Place Like aims to increase customer satisfaction for retailers by enabling their shoppers to purchase items using augmented reality. With the click of a button a shopper can see an item in their house before they buy it.

Allen Wixted was also awarded the title of ‘Best Young Entrepreneur’ for Limerick in 2019. County winners from Limerick will now progress to the regional finals, which take place on 17th June 2019.
Click here to read the full article.

‘Rahoo is an online platform providing educational courses to make professional development more accessible for teachers. When a teacher is struggling with a certain aspect of their practice, such as marking effectively or behaviour management, they can log onto rahoo.ie, find a course to match their particular needs and solve the issue,’

The Sunday Business Post showcases business that will participate in the Entrepreneur Experience which will be held the 5th & 6th April 2019. Congratulations to New Frontiers Participants Ivan Tuohy, Great Ireland Experiences and Laura Foley who secured places on The Entrepreneur Experience® which provides a unique opportunity for 24 Emerging Entrepreneurs to gain unparalleled access and advice from 24 of Ireland's most successful business leaders over 24 hours.
Click here to read the full article.

21th February 2019

Edtech startup Rahoo's mission in life is to bring teacher training into the digital age

AFTER YEARS TEACHING in the UK, New Frontiers Participant Ciara McGuane noticed a gap in the formal development of Irish educators’ careers. This led to the creation of Rahoo, based in Clare, which has brought CPD training into a digital setting through online courses and training.
“(Rahoo) is as much as possible a digitised version of a face-to-face training course. There’s forums, there’s different videos,” McGuane says.
Click here to read the full article.

25th February 2019

The Sunday Business Post 100 Hot Startups

Congratulations to New Frontiers Alumni, Allen Wixted who features in the100 Hot Startups. No Place Likes create amazing AR retail experiences on the web, iOS and Facebook.

11th March 2019

Clare National Enterprise Awards 2019

Congratulations to New Frontiers Participant Ivan Tuohy, Congray Ltd who won Best Innovation Award and Overall Winner at the Clare National Enterprise Awards, he will represent Clare at the national awards in May. Congratulations to New Frontiers Alumni, Hannah Wrixon, Get the Shifts who won Best Startup.

8th March 2019

SFA National Small Business Awards

Congratulations to New Frontier Alumni, Hannah Wrixon, Get the Shifts who were recognised on the night in the Emerging New Businesses (under 2 years) category.

Influencing Customers or prospects through a relationship built on trust

If we enjoy a really good relationship with people then we don’t have to coerce or persuade them as much, influencing can be sufficient. Building a good relationship takes time, yet can be destroyed in moments, especially if we contravene shared values. This intervention explores the journey towards an outstanding relationship, including what contributes to mutual respect.

New Frontiers Alumni Shane Ryan is the founder of fiid which makes plant-based ready meals. The range is called Nourishing Lunch Bowls and there are three varieties: smoky Mexican black bean chilli, Moroccan chickpea tagine and Italian sundried tomato and lentil ragu. They come in single serving pouches and don’t need to be chilled.

“Each meal is all natural, suitable for vegans, high in protein and made using 50 per cent vegetables to deliver a whopping three of your five a day. We describe fiid as ‘hyper convenient’ because it doesn’t need refrigeration making it the ultimate kitchen cupboard or office drawer staple,” Ryan says.

It’s rare to be taught how to ask great questions, and also rare to be taught how to listen with full attention. Yet these basic communications skills play a large part in the quality of the conversations we have with colleagues, stakeholders and customers; and those conversations in turn contribute to the quality of the relationship we enjoy with them.
This lunch ‘n learn provides simple ‘rules’ for both questioning and listening, with opportunity to practice; it’s like putting back on ‘L’ plates and learning to drive again, changing the habits of a life-time in the way we conduct real conversations.

Founder and CEO of the four-year-old facilities management software company Mark Cochrane says he has been amazed by the variety and the global spread of the companies and organisations who have become clients after finding the company’s website online.

Based at the Hartnett Acceleration Centre in Limerick, the company started out by developing sales in the UK and Ireland. Employing a team of four, it now has 30 clients and plans to expand in 2019 by developing a network of reseller partners. Click here to read the full article.

All-star accreditation for Rathú
New Frontiers Participant, Ciara McGuane company Rathú win an All-Ireland Business All-Star accreditation.
Rathú has received the independently verified standard mark for indigenous businesses and based on rigorous selection criteria on performance, trust and customer centricity.
The company is an online professional development provider for teachers. They make excellent professional learning accessible for every teacher – anytime, anywhere!

Finding Somewhere To Live In Dublin Has Just Gotten A Lot Easier With This New Site
New Frontiers Alumni Ed Burke’s company Roomigo is a free to use platform, where people can browse through profiles and connect with people based on lifestyle choices and interests - rather than having to sift through endless (Faceless) emails trying to find a good housemate. Click here to read the full Lovin Dublin article.

7th November 2018

Superstar Solution For Temp Staffing
New Frontiers Alumni Hannah Wrixon, Get the Shifts shares how an entrepreneurship course can help to fine-tune a business idea. For Hannah Wrixon, participating in Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers course at the Hartnett Centre, LIT pivoted her in a completely different business direction, away from childcare and into hospitality staffing. Click here to read the full BizPlus article.

29th October 2018

Firm says no place like home for virtual furniture
New Frontiers Alumni, Allen Wixted, No Place Like uses augmented reality technology to let customers view products in 3D in their own homes. Click here to read the full article in the Irish Examiner.

21st October 2018

Entrepreneur is toast of hospitality industry with her staff-finding app
New Frontiers Alumni Hannah Wrixon set up award winning Get the Shifts to help firms hire trained workers fast, writes Gabrielle Monaghan in the Irish Independent. Click here to read the full article.

'I learned my first business lesson making stuffed toys at 11 - not even my mother bought one'
Get the Shifts, Hannah Wrixon shares her entrepreneurial journey & the early lessons she learnt that “You need to make sure you have a market before getting so invested, financially and time-wise, into an idea”
How after completing the New Frontiers Programme at LIT’s Hartnett Centre and EI’s Going for Growth lead to her pivot into the hospitality industry and Get the Shifts. Get the Shifts provide staffing solutions for the hospitality & events industry with their Superstar Staff all over Ireland & beyond.
Read her story on Fora.ie

7th September 2018

Ones to Watch: Get the Shifts – a tech-based staffing solution
Business & Finance highlight some of the top movers and shakers. This week they feature Get the Shifts. Get the Shifts is an innovative, tech-centric staffing solution for the hospitality and events industry. The start-up is shaking up the sector by supporting bars, restaurants, cafes, festivals and the like to source experienced, temporary hospitality staff like baristas, bar workers, waiting staff and promo staff in their area quickly and efficiently. Read the article on Business & Finance

7th September 2018

Hospitality start-up owner Hannah Wrixon: ‘Being a mum in business has made me value time’
Hannah Wrixon is the founder of Get The Shifts, a Co. Clare based start-up that supports staffing in the hospitality industry and connects businesses and brands with temporary staff in their area 24/7, and has created almost 500 casual roles for mixologists, waiters, baristas, chefs and more. Read the article on Evoke.ie

27th August 2018

RooMigo is on a mission to match compatible housemates
New Frontiers Alumni Ed Burke’s company RooMigo provide an easy-to-use platform where you can find and connect with like-minded housemates based on shared interests and lifestyle choices. Click here to read the article by Silicon Republic.

26th August 2018

Irish Times Article ‘Put simply, I realised people want to live with friends’
New Frontiers Alumni, Ed Burke company RooMigo feature in the Irish Times, RooMigo is endeavouring to take some of the uncertainty out of the process by using criteria such as lifestyle choices as well as price and location to match potentially compatible housemates. Click here to read the full article.

1st August 2018

Beeactiv receive 3 Gold Stars at the 2018 Great Taste Awards

31st July 2018

Leading Limericks next business generation to New Frontiers
New Frontiers Programme Co-Ordinator, Mary Casey features in the Limerick Leader discussing LIT’s open call for applications to the New Frontiers Programme.

Acclino is a digital start-up business based in the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre in Limerick. Their university certified e-Learning programmes provide online training for service organisations who want to transform their business processes and gain a competitive advantage.
Click to read the full article in the Limerick Leader.

10th July 2018

RTE1 – Damian from CountryWide interviews Wellnice Pops

While the heatwave may be causing stress for some businesses there are others riding the crest of the wave. The Limerick based ice-pop brand, Wellnice Pops, has had a big jump in sales. Damian interviews New Frontiers Alumni and Hartnett Centre Clients BJ Broderick and Trín O’Brien. Listen to the show here.

29th June 2018

The Business Post - Tippy Talk has global appeal

Tippy Talk’s Rob Laffan, an alumni of New Frontiers started with an idea and a personal quest, to help his daughter communicate, this then led to the establishment of Tippy Talk. The company has developed an app that allows people with verbal disabilities to translate pictures into text messages for family members and caregivers.
It now has global appeal and has users in every state in the US. Read the article

29th June 2018

Fora – Kevin Deasy is interviewed by Killian Woods

Hartnett Centre client, Kevin Deasy from AccountingPro shares the benefits of having experience and what can be learned from mistakes. Read the Article

A medical devices to prevent UTIs, a cashless taxi app, an online car service booking system and a games company were the big winners at the 2018 LIT New Frontiers Start-up Awards held this week.

Nine business leaders from the acclaimed New Frontiers programme showcased their start-up companies at a ceremony in the Millennium Theatre at LIT on Tuesday (June 19, 2018.)

New Frontiers is the leading national entrepreneur development programme run by LIT and Enterprise Ireland at the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre in collaboration with the Nexus Innovation Centre.

The programme focuses on developing core entrepreneur and leadership skills, an innovators’ toolkit and opening networks for promising entrepreneurs who have ideas with international potential.

The end of year ceremony supported by LIT, EI Enterprise Ireland, Limerick Local Enterprise Office, HOMS Solicitors and Bridgewater Management, further recognises the entrepreneurship and innovation through awards for Startup of the Year, Best Business Opportunity, Best Innovation and One to Watch.

New Frontiers 2018 Winners:

Startup of the Year:
The 2018 New Frontier Startup of the Year was Assuré Medical, a medical device company founded by Ger O’Keeffe. The company is focusing on treating Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) by a preventative prophylactics rather than continually relying on antibiotics.

Best Business Opportunity:
The award for New Frontier Best Business Opportunity went to Richie Commins’ Flag, a taxi app that allows users to travel and pay without the use of their phone, bank card or cash. This new “wallet-less feature” allows the user to flag a taxi on the street, give the driver his or her name and enter a four-digit PIN on the driver’s app to effect payment from his or her pre-registered card.

Best Innovation:
New Frontier Best Innovation was awarded to Iain Gilmore, a former Irish National Tarmac Rally Champion who’s business LYNKMechanic allows motorists to book a service at their local garage online, while also converting the bookings information into servicing data that helps mechanics to operate more efficiently and accurately.

One to Watch:
Gerard Comerford was recognised as the New Frontier One to Watch for his company - Cerebros Games. The competitive e-sport player in Pro Evolution Soccer is making deliberate use of the “disruptive innovation model” to address players’ under-served desire for innovative gaming experiences at a low cost. He then uses the business to fund products that deliver more sophisticated innovative experiences that engage players’ intelligence and creativity.

Congratulating the New Frontiers Graduates, Professor. Vincent Cunnane, President of LIT emphasised the importance of innovation and enterprise to LIT, “The New Frontiers entrepreneurs are playing a very significant role in Irish business - driving the economy forward and impacting on society.

“We want to facilitate and grow that sense of leadership, that sense innovation, that entrepreneurial instinct, that passion. We want to help businesses succeed, and LIT looks forward to continuing our support as these businesses grow,” he said.

Paula Carroll, Programme Manager at Enterprise Ireland said, "New Frontiers is a truly national programme, having a significant regional outreach through the Institutes of Technology, enabling would-be entrepreneurs from all differing parts of the country to benefit from a professional and comprehensive educational programme. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support this programme and is committed to continue its investment in programmes such as this. We congratulate all the LIT graduates of 2018 and wish them every success in their future businesses.”

The keynote speaker at the New Frontiers Awards was David Evans MBE, a serial entrepreneur who founded The Grass Roots Group in London in 1980, and is now leading a number of new enterprises including Matildas Planet, a client of the Hartnett Centre.

LIT currently has an open call for New Frontiers 2018/2019 which starts in October. Application deadline is August 15th 2018 with more details on the programme on www.HartnettCentre.ie

BJ tells independent.ie: “I was studying to become a nutritional health coach. I knew I wanted to stay in the health and wellness industry but with a food product. A vegetable-based product is suitable for everyone. I was looking at cold pressed juices and then I realised that there were a lot of people doing them, and I thought what if I turn this into an ice pop?”

They have exported for the first time to the UK this year. They now announce that they will be launching a multipack version for supermarkets in September and then they will start their new product development for a fun and healthy range. Something to look forward to.

Congratulations to New Frontiers Alumni, Hannah Wrixon, Get the Shifts who has won the Best Start Up Business Award at the 2018 National Enterprise Awards.

Representing the Clare Local Enterprise Office, Get the Shifts is an online staffing solutions business which matches temporary hospitality workers with relevant employers across Ireland using an on demand web and mobile platform.
Please read the article here.

21st May 2018

FLAG – THE TAXI APP Features on Tech Talk

Richie Commins, New Frontiers Participant talks to Jess Kelly on News Talk’s Tech Talk. What is Flag, What they can do for you, the team behind Flag and the journey they have been on. To hear the Podcast click here
To hear the Podcast click here

24th May 2018

New Innovator: Juspy

Leonie Lynch, Juspy a New Frontiers Alumni features on The Irish Times.
While Juspy products will be aimed mainly at women (of all ages), the product is already attracting attention from health-conscious men, especially those with demanding fitness routines. “Our competition is the food people pick up when they are tired and crave sugar. For new mothers, that may be confectionary or baked goods or chocolate and we hope that having Juspy as an alternative will help them choose the better nutritional option.”
The product will be rolled out online and to retail outlets in Ireland by the end of the summer followed by the UK. From the off, however, Lynch designed her product to scale and her ultimate aim is to grow Juspy into a global lifestyle brand.
To read the article click here

LIMERICK COMPANY, LIBERTO, WINS FOUR GOLD AWARDS AND A BRONZE AT THE FREEFROM FOOD AWARDS, IRELAND

Liberto was founded by husband and wife team Mairead Maher (a lifelong coeliac) and Marek Mlynarczyk, (a passionate cook) - both “serious” foodies. It is an exciting range of organic & gluten free healthy lifestyle foods that are also suitable for vegans. Based in the Hartnett Enterprise Centre in Limerick, they launched the Liberto organic bean pasta range and a vegan pate range less than two years ago, with the support of the Limerick Local Enterprise Office. This was followed last November, with the launch of an incredible range of organic & vegan protein shakes boosted with superfoods, pro-biotics and pre-biotics.

Their vision and dedication was recognised with an extraordinary 4 wins at the Free From Food Awards, Ireland. The FreeFrom Food Awards are Ireland’s only awards dedicated to the freefrom sector and are open to entrants from across the 32 counties. These awards not only encourage the ongoing growth and innovation in the sector, but also demonstrate the quality in this area, which is a huge bonus for those consumers who must shop in the freefrom aisles.

Over 600 entries were judged over 14 days and Liberto was delighted to receive 2 Joint Gold awards in the pasta category, for the Liberto Organic Edamame Fettuccine and the Liberto Organic Black Soyabean Spaghetti. But that wasn’t all – another two awards were scooped in the Superfoods category including the category Gold award for the nutrition boosting “Liberto Vanilla Flavoured Organic & Vegan Protein Shake” and bronze for the Liberto Coconut & Lemon Flavoured Organic and Vegan Protein Shake.

2nd May 2018

National Shortlist Announced

Congratulations to BJ Broderick, Wellnice Foods (an alumni of the New Frontiers Programme) who have been selected for the national shortlist. Good luck at the National Startup Awards 2018 which will take place at The Mansion House, Dublin on Thursday May 17th.

26th April 2018

New Frontiers Alumni, Ed Burke features in the Irish Times

RooMigo takes some of the uncertainty out of shared living by matching housemates. Up to now choosing housemates has largely been a lucky dip, but a new company called RooMigo is endeavouring to take some of the uncertainty out of the process by using criteria such as lifestyle choices as well as price and location to match potentially compatible housemates. The company will have its soft launch over the next few months.
To read the full article

25th April 2018

National Startup Awards 2018

Congratulations to Wellnice Foods (BJ Broderick) and Get the Shifts (Hannah Wrixon) who have been shortlisted for the 2018 National Startup Awards.

19th April 2018

Business All-Stars Awards

Congratulations to Hannah Wrixon, Get the Shifts New Frontiers alumna, on winning 1st place in the New Business category and an All Star Accreditation for Innovation in Hospitality Recruitment at the All Ireland Business Summit.

12th March 2018

Limerick Local Enterprise Awards

Congratulations to Mark Cochrane, TrackPlan winner of the Best Start Up Business Award and Conan McDonnell, Beeactiv winner of the Best Manufacturing Business Award, both alumni of the New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme in Limerick Institute of Technology

Congratulations to Kevin Deasy,
Accounting Pro on making the shortlist for the Best Use of Technology in Accountancy and Finance Category at the Irish Accountancy Awards 2018, which will take place on the 26th April 2018.

Launched five years ago, Food Works has helped 76 food and drink companies to develop and grow. They also secured more than €2m in EI funding. Bord Bia’s Eileen Bentley said that the nine companies selected for Food Works 2018 all demonstrated a strong product concept, or have already developed a product which meets a genuine market need. “Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc will work closely with each of these companies to provide the support they need to move to the next level in terms of product development, preparation of an investor ready business plan and ultimately scaling up for the export market,” she added. Of those selected this year are 3 Limerick Companies & Graduates of the New Frontiers at the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre, LIT: Wellnice Foods, Feed and Juspy.

Richie began developing the app when he was a final year Business Information Systems student at NUI Galway and is now a participant on the New Frontiers Programme in the Hartnett Centre.

The Flag app was just launched in December and allows passengers to travel and pay with no phone, card or cash, while ensuring the driver still gets paid. What makes Flag unique is its wallet-less option, where users upload a photo and create a personal account and if they have insufficient funds or no card they simply gives the driver their name and enters a pin on the driver’s app. The user’s photo then appears on the driver’s phone to confirm identity and the payment is taken from the user’s pre-registered card.

New Frontiers Participant Richie Commins to launch New Taxi “Flag” in Dublin this month

The app is similar to other taxi apps, but a feature unique to Flag is what is called “The wallet-less feature” – where users are required to upload a photo ID and create a personal digit pin code to secure an account. If a situation arises, such as a user’s phone dying, the user simply flags a taxi off the street, gives the driver their name and enters the four digit pin on the driver app. The user’s photo appears on the driver’s phone to confirm identity before the fare begins. Payment is processed from the user’s pre-registered card as normal upon arrival at the user’s destination.

Kevin shares tips for people contracting or setting up a startup company and explains what Accounting Pro does. He shares details on his other company http://www.playbackservices.com and what it does and how it can cut down on collusion and fraud.

LIT, one Ireland’s top organisations for fostering start-ups, celebrates 10 Years of the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre

LIT celebrated the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre’s tenth anniversary on the 28th of November in the Strand Hotel with a special celebration that brought together alumnus entrepreneurs, mentors, trainers, researchers and supporters to reflect, reconnect and recognise their achievements over the last decade. On the evening, the 2017 New Frontiers alumni received their Certificates of Completion and Special awards went to four alumni and two key supporters of New Frontiers.

Leonie Lynch won the One to Watch award, BJ Broderick a Special Commendation and the team of Chris Ryan and Kelly O’Brien won the Innovation Award.

LIT’s President, Vincent Cunnane presented a special award each to Jerry Moloney, Regional Director Mid-West at Enterprise Ireland and Aidan O’Driscoll of Irrus Investments to recognise their steadfast support of LIT’s work to initiate and accelerate entrepreneurship in its region.

Entrepreneurs supported through LIT’s centres have created more than 850 jobs, and have raised some €63 million in investment. This year marks 10 years since the first group of entrepreneurs graduated from LIT’s incubation programme (LEAP) at the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre. Emutex, Resource Kraft and Episensor are just some of the global businesses, based in Limerick, founded by this initial group of graduates who are also celebrating their 10-year anniversary.

“The Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre was the first of LIT’s suite of support centres across its regions. This is a major milestone for LIT and it’s fantastic to look back at what we have achieved together with our many partners including Enterprise Ireland. The impact of these centres and the jobs created by the entrepreneurs we have supported is significant.” commented Prof. Vincent Cunnane, President of LIT.

Organisations today are challenged to ensure their people are engaged in their business strategy, and the work they do is aligned to that; without that engagement, performance is sub-optimal. At an individual level people are working longer hours, handling multiple tasks and distractions, and often performing ineffectively; the personal cost can be stress and burn-out, with implications for their team and the organisation as a whole.

Frank’s talk is based on the work of Loehr and Schwartz, who brought their sports coaching findings into business. It prompts a heightened self-awareness, examining the energy we bring to work (and life), and explores practical strategies for how we can manage ourselves better.

LIT were the main sponsors of the Limerick Chamber Business Awards which saw companies vie for the top awards across 11 categories at the Limerick Strand Hotel to around 450 guests. The awards are co-ordinated by LIT together with the Chamber and judges from across several external organisations and sectors and are designed to recognise, celebrate and showcase the best companies and organisations in the region.

New Entrepreneur in Residence for the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre

LIT were delighted to announce at the recent Limerick Chamber Business Awards, for which LIT are the main sponsor, and to the ovation of more than 450 guests that the new Entrepreneur in Residence for the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre is former Senior Vice President of the Industrial, Healthcare and Consumer Business Group of Analog Devices Inc (ADI). ADI is a global leader in high-performance semiconductor products and solutions that can interpret the world around us by intelligently bridging the physical and digital domains with unmatched technologies that sense, measure and connect. Dick joined Analog Devices Limerick in 1979 as a design engineer and throughout his 37-year career has held leadership positions in engineering and business, culminating with his most recent position managing a multi-billion-dollar business group. Prior to that Dick led a worldwide R&D organization of over 2000 engineers, that brought over 200 industry leading new products to market every year. From Limerick and educated at CBS Sexton Street, Dick graduated from University of Limerick in 1979 with BEng Electronic Systems and has lived in Boston and Limerick with his family throughout his career.
Dick joins Pat McGrath of PM Group and John McNamara of BCM as Entrepreneurs in Residence at LITs enterprise centres. We have no doubt that his support and contribution to the startups in the Hartnett Centre will be significant.

New Frontiers Alumni Leonie Lynch is under the spotlight in this month’s Limerick Magazine.

Juspy is a lifestyle brand which is just about to launch their first product Juspy Momme, a readymade drink with the postnatal mother in mind. It was specially formulated for the new mother who is tired, stressed and trying to re-establish a good relationship with her body. Understanding new mothers are often too busy to think about their own nutrition, this product is a mix of ingredients with gives women a healthy boost throughout their day.

“The New Frontiers Programme was brilliant because I became really good friends with two other foodies within the group who were also successful in getting on the Food Works Programme”, she said. “They help me so much because they have been there and done that and are much further along the sales journey than me”, she continued. She also said that her business advisors from the programme have been constant guides and helped her figure out the best course of action.

Congratulations to BJ Broderick, New Frontiers Alumni’s company Wellnice Pops who have been named business of the week by WebPort Global.

23rd October 2017

Wild Irish Seaweed to double production in West Clare

New Frontiers Alumni, Evan Talty company Wild Irish Seaweed is set to double its production and increase its workforce following a €200,000 investment.

Based in Quilty, Wild Irish Seaweed will benefit from a €50,000 investment from Alison Cowzer of Dragon’s Den, which has been matched by a similar figure from Clare Local Enterprise Office (LEO). The Talty family are investing a further €100,000 into their business. The company currently has a workforce of 13, including seven full-time employees and six harvesters.

“The investment will upgrade our facilities, which will double our production. This will lead to us creating up to ten full and part-time jobs,” Evan Talty of Wild Irish Seaweed said.“We are delighted to have Minister Breen visiting to mark our expansion, which will create additional job opportunities in West Clare,” he added.

Congratulations to our New Frontiers Alumni Leonie Lynch, Juspy, BJ Broderick, Wellnice Pops and Shane Ryan, Feed who secured places on the Food Works Programme.
Food Works is a programme for companies that have an innovative food product that satisfies a genuine market need and has an ambition for global success. Food Works is run by three government agencies, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, who have worked together since 2012 to support innovative food businesses in Ireland. So far, Food Works has helped more than 70 Irish food entrepreneurs scale their businesses.

16th October 2017

'Failure helped me hit the ground running'

Shane Ryan, an alumni of the New Frontiers Programme in LIT shares how success has not come easy. From the failure of the first business Shane had learnt some valuable lessons, including the fact that he needed to produce something that would work in a retail context, and that he would need a strong team around him to make it work. FEED is available now in selected Supervalu and Dunnes Stores outlets as well as independent retailers. Click to read the Independent.ie Article

5th October 2017

Irish Times Innovation Awards

Innovation awards finalist TippyTalk features in the Irish Times, Rob Laffan designed product to help autistic daughter. Read the article in the Irish Times. He will compete with 20 other finalists – view their details.

The Smart Ageing economy is a new, emerging and growing global economy related to consumers aged 50+. The term includes all economic activities that concern older adults and meet their demands and requirements.

The Smart Ageing Innovation Awards aims to recognize and celebrate innovative products, services, and technologies, across multiple sectors that help to improve the quality of life of consumers aged 50+, and so raise awareness of and strengthen the Irish Smart Ageing Economy. They will illustrate the breadth of the consumer markets and the size of the opportunities available for entrepreneurs, investors, public authorities and civil society.

30th September 2017

Congratulations to New Frontiers Alumni Caroline Rigney, Rigney’s Farmhouse Foods Ltd, who took gold for their Goji Berry and Flame Raisin granola at the awards & Conan McDonnell, Beeactiv who received a silver award for their Irish Blossom Honey

18th September 2017

Nationwide features the Urban Co-Op

The Urban Co-Op, the first co-operative grocery store in Limerick - owned, controlled and operated by its members. Its sells wholesome food at affordable prices and is operated by the community for the community. Their aim is to create a sustainable Limerick and membership is open to everyone!

An opportunity to meet HEAC Clients, Alumni, Founders, Leaders and more.
Are you involved in selling? Going to be selling? Leading a sales team? Be sure to attend.
To book click here by 12.00 noon Tuesday, 26th September 2017

Congratulations to New Frontiers Alumni BJ Broderick & business partner Trin O’Brien who secured a place on the intensive 12 week mentoring programme.

At the end of the programme, eight successful startups will also get the opportunity to showcase the improvements in their business as a result of the programme and to pitch their business plans to members of Google Ireland’s leadership team, as well as prominent figures from the Irish startup community. The winning startup will receive €10,000 in AdWords credit as well as eligibility for the Google Cloud programme which comes with $100,000 Google Cloud credit.

Facebook is to establish an SME Council in Ireland as it aims to grow its usage amongst small businesses here. They are trying to increase the number of companies that use its business tools to communicate with customers and make sales, with the council acting as a way of spreading its message among the business community.

The council will also serve to offer feedback to the social media giant, to give it a better idea of what local businesses need in order to expand online.

New Frontiers Alumni BJ Broderick, Wellnice Pops have been invited to join the Council.

Fora.ie 'It's easy on social media to look successful. I was all smiles online but a mess inside'
From managing hotels in the Middle East, Shane Ryan came back to Ireland to launch a healthy food startup. Shane shares his personal journey with fora.ie (click to read article)

Wellnice Pops are available throughout the country check your local health food shop and in numerous SuperValu shops, the urban co-op Limerick and Strand Hotel Limerick.

29th June 2017

The Limerick Magazine - Startup Spotlight – Evan Talty

Evan shares Wild Irish Seaweeds journey and how Enterprise Ireland, LIT’s Hartnett Centre and New Frontiers helped them on their journey "from being a farmer's market seller to a main stream business operation".

Following their appearance on Dragons Den in which they received investment from Alison Cowser Evan explained that "a lot of people commented on how well we pitched and asked how we managed it, and again it was down to New Frontiers and having to pitch with them every two months, so we were well primed by then!".

Read the full story on The Limerick Magazine by clicking here (page 46-47)

Five start-ups to look out for in 2017Wellnice, is one of The Independent’s “Five start-ups to look out for in 2017” – read the article on independent.ie

19th May 2017

FEED launches in SuperValu
Congratulations to Shane and team on the launch of FEED, currently available in Dublin. For further information check http://eatfeed.ie/

15th May 2017

Wellnice Pops launch their veggie ice popsTrin & BJ, are on a mission to spread the veggie love, one pop at a time.. Juice, it’s not just for drinking! #VegetableSucks. For further information & stockists check
http://www.wellnicepops.ie/stockists.html

11th May 2017

Golf Voyager win the ITB China award in Shanghai.
Congratulations to Conor Galvin and Fintan Ward on their win today at the ITB China awards. ITB China Startup Award is an exciting event within ITB China. It recognizes companies that turned dreams and ideas into viable business solutions with great market potential.

Padraig Harrington Partners with GolfVoyager.comGolf Voyager, a New Frontiers Alumni and resident of LIT's City Incubator has announced a partnership with Padraig Harrington. The three-time Major champion will join Golf Voyager as its first brand ambassador.

www.GolfVoyager.com and their Powered by Golf Voyager tool are innovative user centric smart tech solutions to enable anyone to build and book anything from a simple golf holiday to multi-tiered complex golf holiday itinerary in a very simple and quick way and without needing human interaction from Golf Voyager (there is no need for emails and calls before you book). They think of everything – its full customer journey mapping at its best.

5th May 2017

The Limerick Magazine - Startup Spotlight – Rob Laffan, Tippy Talk
Rob Laffan created the Tippy Talk app to allow a person with a verbal disability communicate pictures into text messages that can be sent to a family member or caregivers phone.Click to read the full story

4th May 2017

>Congratulations to Rob Laffan, Tippytalk who are through to the final of the Startup Awards 2017 which will take please on the 18th May in the Mansion House, Dublin.

28th April 2017

Congratulations to Golf Voyager who have been shortlisted for the ITB China Startup Award

ITB China Startup Award is an exciting event within ITB China. It recognizes companies that turned dreams and ideas into viable business solutions with great market potential. Pre-selected innovators from startup companies who launched their products less than three years ago will demonstrate their innovative solutions before the jury containing of experienced industry professionals. The innovators will have the chance to explain how their product will impact the future of the travel industry during an 8 minute pitch. The winner voted by the jury will receive the first ITB China Startup Award. The pitches will take place on the 11th May 2017.

Congratulations to Conan McDonnell, Beeactiv who was short-listed in the category All Stars Food & Drink Business of the year and Hannah Wrixon, Get the Shifts who were short-listed for the All Stars Start-up of the year. For further information:http://bizallstarawards.ie/winners

Liberto’s Organic Edamame Fettuccine, has been announced as the Gold Medal winner of the 2017 UK Free From Food Awards in the Pizza & Pasta category. Liberto was competing side by side with great brands such as UK’s Doves Farm & Italy’s Riso Gallo . The award was presented by Antony Worrall Thompson before 350 guests at the Royal College of Physicians, London, last Tuesday night. Liberto is a range of quality and delicious products, full of nature’s goodness that also happen to be gluten free & organic.

Awards Director, Michelle Berriedale-Johnson , when preparing to announce Liberto as the winner, shared some of the judges comments: ‘Clever! Nice and interesting texture with a zingy green note. Great nutritional profile – and low carb! Really like it!’

Speaking about the event, Antony Worrall Thompson, long term patron of the awards, said ‘It is amazing how much has changed in just ten years. All credit to the pioneering small producers [like Liberto] who have followed their dreams to create wonderful free from foods – to the supermarkets who have backed them – and to the Free From Food Awards who have encouraged and celebrated them!’

Based in the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre, LIT, Limerick, Liberto was founded by two passionate foodies, Máiréad Maher & Marek Mlynarczyk. Speaking about the award, Mairead said “At Liberto, we believe we all deserve to be able to eat a healthy, wholesome diet that is full of natural, wholesome and safe to eat ingredients. We are so honoured and excited that the UK Free From Awards have recognised this in such a wonderful way!“ Mairead also had a special word of thanks for the retailers working with them, the Limerick Local Enterprise Office and LIT who have supported the brand’s launch. “Without their support, people would not have the opportunity to share our dream for a healthier more natural life.”

Liberto has recently launched in Supervalu and Dunnes Stores. It is also available from Independent Irish Health Foods, several independent health food stores nationwide and various outlets in the UK.

Congratulations to Mark Cochrane, Trackplan who have been shortlisted for the “Best Use of Technology” in the Facilities Management Awards. Launched in 2014, the Facilities Management Awards is the premier awards programme for benchmarking excellence within Ireland's FM sector.

3rd February 2017

Congratulations to Shane Ryan, New Frontiers Participant and founder of Feed, for winning a place on this year's AIB Startup Academy. The 14 finalists will compete for the Academy's coveted top prize, which is worth e200,000.

27th January 2017

Lavida Food launch Liberto

H.E.A.C. residents Lavida Food Ltd, have launched their innovative, healthy & organic lifestyle food brand Liberto. The concept was created, nurtured and developed by Lavida founders Máiréad & Marek, two passionate foodies who feel strongly that delicious, high quality, wholesome gluten free food should be something everyone can enjoy without compromise, foods that treat your body like it is someone you love. Currently Liberto includes a range of very unusual pastas made from pure beans (Edamame or Black Bean) & a range of patés and sauces suitable for a vegan diet and there are plans to develop it further in 2017. All the pastas are high in protein & fibre and contain 400% less carbohydrates than regular wheat pasta.
The initial market response has incredibly positive. In Ireland Liberto has already neen listed by Dunnes Store and Supervalu and in the UK, they have secured listings with Holland & Barrett, Ocado, Amazon UK, Whole Foods Market and all the major health food wholesalers.
For more information, visit www.loveliberto.com

23rd January 2017

Congratulations to Adrian Fleming, Accuvio who won the Mid-West Regional Awards of Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur 2017.

18th January 2017

NVMdurance launches Aviator to accelerate adoption of 3D NAND

NVMdurance, with its unique approach to characterising flash memory devices, has launched NVMdurance Aviator, a new product which complements their existing Navigator and Pathfinder products that enables deployment of 3D NAND flash in the most challenging applications. NAND flash memory is used in many applications, including SSDs, mobile phones, tablets, USB drives and memory cards. Click here to read the full announcement

Tippy Talk are helping children and adults all over the world communicate this Christmas. It started with one father, Rob communicating with his daughter Sadie. Click to see their story.

5th December 2016

Congratulations to Kelly O’Brien, CDK Technology for winning Limerick’s IBYE Award Best New idea Pre-Trading. Kelly & Chris are currently participating on the New Frontiers Programme in LIT. Adrian Fleming, Accuvio a former resident of the Hartnett Centre won the Best Established Business Category. They will both compete in the Regional Finals in January 2017.

Kelly O’Brien & Christopher Ryan, CDK Technology

24th November 2016

Congratulations to Conan McDonnell of Beeactiv their Irish Blossom Honey was awarded a Silver Medal in the 2016 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards. Their Raw Ivy Honey was also awarded Best New Food & Drink Product by the Irish Health Trade Association at the Natural Health Expo in the RDS. The IHTA represents independent health food stores throughout Ireland.

Launch of Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme at LIT Cements Institute’s Role as Home of Enterprise in the Mid-West.

Participants being inducted onto Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme at LIT today were told that they are joining the home of enterprise in the Mid-West.

LIT will be running Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme for the next 5 years in the Mid-West. Companies on the LIT New Frontiers programme in 2015/2016 raised over €5 million, and have helped create almost 200 jobs

Speaking to participants at their induction onto the programme at the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre in LIT, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell-O’Connor said, “Supports such as the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers programme are all the more crucial now in the current trading environment where companies need to be all the more competitive. I would urge anyone with a business idea to consider applying to this important entrepreneur development programme".

Vice President for Research Enterprise and Development at LIT, Dr. Liam Brown, said “New Frontiers is the national entrepreneurship programme for early stage high-potential start-up companies. It is a tremendously important programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship in the Mid-West, and we in LIT are particularly proud of our role in the programme.

“I wish our latest participants the very best in their efforts, and we look forward to providing them with the support and infrastructure they need to succeed."

New Frontiers is a three phase programme designed to help early stage emerging high potential startups (HPSUs). The 2016 cohort of 12 Entrepreneurs in LIT were chosen via a very competitive process from across industry sectors. The Entrepreneurs will have access to key industry experts, consultants, focussed training and mentoring. They also receive a €15k stipend from Enterprise Ireland (EI) and assigned a personal Development Advisor with opportunities for funding from EI or Local Enterprise Offices, business angel and VC networks, and LIT’s own Enterprise Ladder Fund (ELF) or Ryan Entrepreneurship Fund for Tipperary managed by LIT.

The Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers programme is run nationally and is now one of the largest employment generators in the country. Companies on the LIT New Frontiers programme alone in 2015/2016 have helped create almost 200 jobs to date and raised more than €5m while on New Frontiers.

LIT has 5 core enterprise, incubation and acceleration centres across Limerick and Tipperary as well as supporting 2 community enterprise centres and strong growing applied Research & Development office supporting research and development to startups and SME’s right through to large multinationals.

In addition to New Frontiers LIT run a number of short programmes and masterclasses to support enterprise development in the region with our partners and collaborators in UL, LEO, EI and the Chambers of Commerce as well as private enterprise.

NVMdurance, with its unique approach to extending the endurance of flash devices has announced that patent number ZL 20`0 8 0052625.2; NVMD-002CN developed by Joe Sullivan and Conor Ryan, both of Limerick, Ireland, has been granted in China for “A Flash Memory Device and Control Method. Read more here...

28th July 2016

Congratulations to Caroline Rigney both her granola products received stars at the Great Taste Awards – Her Goji berries and flame raisins granola won 2 stars and her granola with whole pecans, almonds, cinnamon, dates won 1 star.

Irish technology company, NVMdurance, extending the life of solid state discs (SSDs), has today launched a white paper that provides detailed information on how machine learning can optimize the trade-offs between storage capacity, endurance and data retention of flash memory products. Click here to read the white paper.

9th June 2016

LIT New Frontiers Start-up Companies raise €2m in investment and expect to employ more than 200 people by the end of 2016.

Nine start-up companies based in LIT’s Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre have raised almost €2 million in funding so far this year and are expected to employ 200 people by the end of this year. Their potential value is estimated to be worth €20 million annually to the economy.

The nine companies – all of which are early stage innovative start-ups supported by LIT EI New Frontiers Programme – were among those recognised at LIT Startup Awards Ceremony, hosted by LIT today.

Wild Irish Seaweed is a great example of an Irish company combining a heritage product with modern-day business practices. Originally founded in 2009 by Gerard and Eileen Talty, the family business has grown from strength to strength... Read the article on the New Frontiers blog.

6th May 2016

Tannian Innovations Ltd launch Exximo

Congratulations to Laura Taylor, a participant on New Frontiers 2015 on the launch of their first device Exximo, the latest innovation for removing compression hosiery. Available to purchase on http://www.exximo.com/

5th May 2016

Congratulations to Temple Diary participants on the 2014 New Frontiers Programmes they have been shortlisted in the category Food and Drink Entrepreneurial Startup of the Bank of Ireland Startup Awards). Also shortlisted in their categories were: Wild Ireland, UJet (NFC) & Eirchrom (Questum)

GMT Connect is currently celebrating its second round of funding in a deal worth over a quarter of a million euro which will see the company grow its staff base to 10 people within the next 12 months. Established in 2009, GMT has developed an adaptable product which enables on-line vehicle supervision; this includes remote tracking, deactivation of stolen vehicles via ‘safe engine cut off’, monitoring and accident reconstruction.

GMT’s multi-function unit supports fleet vehicles, insurance companies, security companies, leased vehicles, company cars, farm machinery, privately owned vehicles and lone workers. Its products can monitor driver behaviour and vehicle metrics, enabling a company to have full visibility on its assets at any given time; such visibility includes food storage unit temperature, fuel consumption, tire pressure, alerts if the driver is distracted, speeding, making aggressive lane changes etc. Emergency communication options are also available such as cameras, speakers, microphones and panic buttons, connected to a 24hr Call Centre.

Speaking about the announcement, the companies Director Glenn Pearson has said “we are looking towards the future now, capitalising on international markets and growing our business from Limerick. GMT connect has already won some major contracts in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and the UAE so I’m happy to say, that the outlook is very positive. Thus far, we have been very fortunate in terms of local support, in the form of VC investment from Averian Investments, ongoing office and consultancy from Bridgewater, development support from LIT’s LEAP programme, LEO and Enterprise Ireland. I believe that the backing we have received is testament to the eco-system that Limerick has right now and the great support that is out there for technology companies like ours”.
http://www.gmtconnect.com/gmt-connect-secures-investment/

27th March 2016

NVMdurance secures €2.23m in venture funding

Tech start-up NVMdurance will create up to ten jobs this year, having completed a €2.23 million Series A funding round with existing investors New Venture Partners, ACT Venture Capital, Enterprise Ireland and the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC).
The company will use the funding to “prove to the market” technology developed over 13 years to extend the lifespan of the flash memory used in laptops, mobile phones and GPS devices, said Pearse Coyle, chief executive, NVMdurance.
“Our strategy is to make a success of our early customers and to prove to the market that the product really works,” said Coyle. “Flash is replacing hard disks, but the problem is that it wears out. Our technology allows it to last about ten times longer.”
The technology was developed by NVMdurance founders Joe Sullivan and Conor Ryan, who brought entrepreneur Coyle on board in 2012, after the NDRC invested in the firm during its research phase.
The NDRC was also among the same group that invested €250,000 in seed funding in the company three years ago. Coyle said NVMdurance would create up to ten firmware engineering and commercial jobs this year. The company has secured a contract with Altera, the Intel-owned manufacturer of programmable logic devices.
“They make a flash memory controller and they’ve launched a solution that combines our technology with theirs,” said Coyle. “We now have a number of clients committed to deploying our technology, two of which have provided revenue advances alongside this Series A funding round. The funding will help us expand sales and marketing efforts as well as grow our engineering team.”
NVMdurance employs ten people and has offices in the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre Limerick and San Jose, California.
https://www.nvmdurance.com/sundaybusinesspost-27-03-16/

25th January 2016

VT Networks has raised €1.2m and says it is on target to connect 1m devices by the end of 2017

Congratulations to Rob Laffan, Tippy Talk a current participant on the New Frontiers Programme who accepted the award of Innovative Student Engineer of the Year at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards on the 5th November.

2th November 2015

Last Minute Minders takes bronze at the Boots maternity & infant awards bronze for the Best Family/Kids App, congratulations to Hannah & her team.

Congratulations to LIT's New Frontiers Participant Hannah Wrixon whose business Last Minute Minders has been shortlisted for the regional 2015 Bank of Ireland Startup Awards. The national shortlist will announced on the 28th October 2015.

Rob Laffan inventor of TippyTalk, a current participant on the New Frontiers Programme in the Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre and a past student of LIT’s Industrial Automation and Robotics Systems makes the RTÉ news. Inspired by his daughter Sadie, Rob has developed a touch screen device that allows children to communicate by transferring pictures to text message.

Congratulations to Fintan Ward & Conor Galvin, Golf Voyager for winning The Clare Innovation in Business Award, sponsored by Bank of Ireland. The category was open to any Clare business could demonstrate how their innovative ideas, processes or techniques have had a positive impact on the success of the business.
Judges wanted to see evidence of how initiatives were planned and implemented, and how ideas have been developed into successful business improvements.

The winner of this award identified an important gap in the market and has created an innovative product which has been very successful, and continues to evolve. The challenges faced have been overcome and growth potential looks to be very significant

Fintan Ward, Co-Founder of Golf Voyager Ltd., accepts the award at the FBD Clare Business Excellence Awards 2015 which were held at Treacy’s West County Hotel in Ennis recently.

8th October 2015

Startup Gathering - Limerick

As part for the Startup Gathering Limerick the New Frontiers Foundathon was hosted at the
Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration Centre. The event was attended by LIT's & IT Tralees New
Frontiers Participants. Eoin Costello, Start Up Ireland opened the session and invited guests Aine
Gleeson www.wowwee.ie, Mike Gargiulo www.thedeliveryguys.ie,Michael Hartnett www.dionergy.com, Conan McDonnell www.ivyhoney.com, and Emma Moore, Johnson & Johnson
shared their entrepreneurial wisdom & professional experiences with the group.

8th October 2015

2015 HSBC Golf Business Forum Innovation Award

Congratulations to LIT's New Frontiers client, Connor Galvin & Fintan Ward, whose business,
Golf miles has been shortlisted for the HSBC Golf Business Forum Innovation Awards in Shanghai. Golf
miles is one of only 11 businesses globally to be shortlisted for the prize. The winner will be
invited to Shanghai from 1st-4th November 2015 to attend the forum, the largest and most significant
meeting of golf industry executives and decision makers in the world . LIT will be keeping a close
eye on the announcement of the winner later this month, best of luck Conor! ?

The awards were Best Pitch which was received by Conundrum- an acoustic drum product which is
due to be manufactured locally and distributed internationally. The Limerick Start-Up prize went to
Glynn Diamonds, which focuses on synthetic diamond manufacturing and R&D activity. Best Start-Up
Tipperary was awarded to The Pudding a digital marketing company with a graphic design edge and the
overall award of 2015 LIT Enterprise Start-Up went to - The Delivery Guys, which provides delivery
services to restaurants/food distributors across the region.

The winners were chosen from a short-list of eleven companies out of the initial entry of 40,
with each pitching on the day to a panel of judges made up of Limerick Chamber, Enterprise Ireland,
Holmes O’Malley Sexton and AIB.

Notably, these start-ups are now in a position to draw down on a variety of prizes including
preapproval of 25,000 seed funding from LIT’s Enterprise Ladder Fund (ELF), and Ryan
Entrepreneur Fund, respectively, cash prizes and consultancy services from sponsors Bridgewater
Management, AIB, Limerick Chamber, Holmes O’Malley Sexton and The Discovery Partnership
Ltd.

The well attended event was a true celebration of the Enterprise and Research Development Activity
which is taking place at the institute. The session featured a live pitch competition, business
exhibition and also served as a graduation ceremony for participants on LIT’s start-up
programmes across its regional sites -The National Franchise Centre, Hartnett Enterprise Acceleration
Centre, Croom Community Enterprise Centre and Thurles Chamber Enterprise Centre. Gina London an Emy
Award winning news anchor with CNN was also on hand at the event to give her expert advice on
business communications. An engaging speaker she promoted the theme of “grabbing opportunity
with both hands” and celebrated the success of those start-ups in attendance.

Congratulating the winners and all shortlisted for the awards, LIT President Dr. Maria Hinfelaar
said, “Entrepreneurship is key to the long-term recovery and sustainability of the Irish
economy. We have an incredible spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship coming through in our six
enterprise centres and our focus is on capturing and nurturing this so that the companies get every
possible support to fulfil the enormous potential we see in them.

“The Enterprise Ladder Business Awards is another element of the overall support we put in
place. They recognise, profile and reward the cutting-edge start-up companies that are on our
programmes. They also make available critical funding for the winning companies at a key stage as
well as a range of supports and services delivered by our partners.

Since its inception in 2007, LIT’s Enterprise Ladder has helped create over 150 businesses
generating more than 10m in investment and creating more than 600 jobs.

Through its range of enterprise support and development programmes offered across its network of
enterprise centres, the Enterprise Ladder fosters enterprise development and job creation in
indigenous start-up enterprises, franchisees and franchisors and High-Potential Start-Up client
companies with export potential in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland.

LIT will have seven Enterprise Centres by 2016, spread across county Limerick and Tipperary and
has developed strong relationships with collaborators and partners such as Enterprise Ireland, The
Chambers Of Commerce, UL The Local Enterprise Offices and the City and County Councils in Limerick,
Clare and Tipperary and with groups like the ITLG, IBEC and many more.